What is lab automation?

Lab automation involves using intelligent systems to perform laboratory tasks with minimal human intervention. Astral Automation provides modular, AI-driven systems that enable 24/7 operation, reduce upfront costs by 40%, and accelerate drug discovery workflows.

How does Astral Automation reduce costs?

Astral Automation reduces upfront costs by 40% through modular design and flexible deployment. Our systems eliminate the need for expensive monolithic installations while providing scalable automation that grows with your laboratory needs.

How does lab automation accelerate drug discovery?

Lab automation accelerates drug discovery by enabling 24/7 operation, eliminating manual bottlenecks, and bridging the gap between AI-driven design and physical lab execution. Our systems reduce time from order to operation by 50% while ensuring consistent, reproducible results.

The Future of Lab Automation for
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Name: Astral Lab Automation Systems
Brand: Astral Automation
Availability: PreOrder
Rating: 5.0 (1 reviews)

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We're Delivering the Laboratories of Tomorrow

With over 25 years of combined experience in lab automation, Astral delivers flexible, efficient and cost-effective lab automation to reduce the time for pre-clinical drug discovery

0%

reduction in upfront costs

Lower initial investment with modular automation

24/7

operating hours

Continuous operation without human intervention

0%

reduction in time from order to operation

Faster deployment and commissioning

Astral Automation WorkStation Dashboard showing real-time device status, active workflows, and system monitoring interface with multiple connected laboratory instruments

Supported by:

AI is advancing fast. Labs aren't.

AI is significantly accelerating the design of new drug candidates. But outdated and fragmented systems mean that the physical execution of lab experiments remains a major bottleneck. Astral is building automation that can keep up.

Claude by Anthropic - Advanced AI analyzing complex data and accelerating research workflows. Image: Anthropic

Technical Features

Intelligent orchestration, universal device compatibility, and advanced simulation capabilities designed to deliver seamless automation that adapts to your laboratory's evolving needs

Agnostic Device Integration

Seamlessly connect and control any laboratory device regardless of manufacturer or protocol

Scheduling & Orchestration

Intelligent workflow management that optimizes resource allocation and timing

Advanced System Modelling

Plan, execute and optimise workflows in simulation before physical implementation

LIMS and ELN Connectivity

Direct integration with Laboratory Information Management Systems and Electronic Lab Notebooks

Astral Automation Workflows Interface displaying workflow creation tool with drag-and-drop components, process scheduling timeline, and connected device nodes for laboratory automation

Astral Automation's Mission

Empowering scientists with intelligent automation to accelerate drug discovery.

We believe there is a critical gap slowing down drug discovery. In recent years we have seen the extent to which AI has accelerated the design and analysis of potential new drug candidates. The data is undeniably promising. But, physical labs have not kept up. Making and testing these drug candidates remains slow, manual and full of bottlenecks. And this discrepancy is holding back the breakthroughs patients urgently need.

At Astral, we've experienced this frustration first-hand - clunky tools, rigid systems, and automation that doesn't scale. That's why we've set out to build something better. Lab automation that is smart, flexible, and built to last.

We believe scientists should spend their time on design and discovery, not fighting machines. Our approach combines reliable and efficient engineering with software that makes automation intuitive instead of a hassle. Scalable, modular, and future-proof, designed to grow with the science, not hold it back.

We are committed to building automation that is more sustainable, more user-friendly and more future-ready. Faster drug discovery cycles, better data, and eliminating the gap between design and experimentation, all with the goal of helping life-changing medicines reach patients sooner.

Simon and Aanchal

Meet the Team

With backgrounds in engineering, science and lab automation we have spent years feeling the pains of outdated and inefficient systems. Which means we're perfectly placed to be the solution. So we're stripping it back and rebuilding lab automation, from the ground up.

Co-Founder & CEO

Simon

From designing custom systems, to leading robotic automation at Recursion, I have spent 25 years pushing the boundaries of lab automation. Along the way, I've felt first-hand the frustration of tools that just couldn't scale with modern science. Starting Astral Automation is my way of fixing that, and finally building the truly autonomous, AI-ready systems labs need.

When I'm not thinking about robots, you can usually find me at a Queens of the Stone Age concert!

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Co-Founder & CTO

Aanchal

Starting with roots in mechanical engineering before finding my way to robotics and software (and picking up a patent on the way) I've always been passionate about building things that last. Now at Astral, I'm focused on designing engineering solutions that make scientists' lives easier and bring lab automation up to speed with the world around us.

On the side, I'm also focused on proving to Simon that my music taste is better than his!